The Mac’s Most Reliable And Robust Backup And Sync App Goes Lite

For many years the writers and editors at Mac360 have extolled the virtues of various technologies beneficial to Mac users.

That includes RSS readers, bootable clone backup tools, and file and folder sync apps. For many of us, if we could have only one backup and sync app for a Mac it would be the popular, reliable, and highly robust ChronoSync. Alas, ChronoSync is an acquired taste full of useful features but not for the faint of heart. Rejoice, dear Mac user. Now there’s a ChronoSync version for the Mac masses.

Lite, Meet Express

ChronoSync Express is what I would call a slightly lite version of the full-featured ChronoSync for the Mac. First, Express is available on the Mac App Store, so it doesn’t have all the features of the more expensive full version.

Second, Express has the basic features that the average Mac user will appreciate. For example, Express does not make bootable backups or clones of your Mac’s disk drive, but it can backup and sync all the files in your user home folder.

Express still has the bullet-proof built-in sync and backup scheduler, and there’s an option to connect to iPhones and iPads for additional backup options. ChronoSync has always been great at providing email and system notifications when a backup or sync completes, and Express has that built-in, too.

Each backup or sync option is stored as a document, each with individual settings, so you can setup a backup or file and folder syncs to different locations on your Mac or to connected disk drives or network drives (another Mac, for example). One of the more robust aspects of Express is that documents can be stacked in a container document which will run each backup or sync document, one after the other. Using the built-in scheduler makes it a totally automated process.

I use the full version of ChronoSync and haven’t had a need to alter a backup document in a few years because the scheduler runs the syncs on a schedule, then sends me an email message with the status. That’s priceless and it comes in the less expensive Express version, too.

Express syncs in one direction or multiple directions. It will automatically mount a connected drive or network device, including NAS drives, other Macs, file servers, and even a disk image. Other than the lack of a bootable Mac clone option, there’s not much to not like. I would like to see some built-in file encryption, but using a disk image on your Mac makes that easy to do anyway. ChronoSync can be daunting, even for experienced Mac users. Express makes it easier to use the basics.

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About Jack Miller

I work for a US technology company in Paris, France and switched from Windows PCs to the Mac 20 years ago. My wife said it would improve our marriage, give us more friends, and reduce stress. I guess that two out of three isn't bad. Read more of my articles here.